RANDOM HOUSE

I am the Messenger

masterpiece, 2009-12-29
totally different to the book thief, but brilliNT IN ITS OWN RIGHT. very quirky very differnt, very funny too. Love the way he talks to his dog. Cant wait for another of his books, so hope he is writing as we speak!!

Princess and the Frog (Disney-Pixar Read-Aloud Storybooks)

Amazing illustrations, 2010-02-07
This book is illustrated by Loreley Bove with a great talent. I'd say it's the kind of book I'd like to read to my children. Because today disney publish a lot of books with images 3D computer's made. And the richness of an authentic painted illustration is far more inspiring, it shows an other vision of the film. This one has a taste of an old illustration, really simplified, interpreted but so effective. I recommand it !

It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive

Readable enough, but disappointing, 2010-03-01
I wasn't a particular fan of Mark Kermode, but from what I had seen of him on The Culture Show and a few other things I liked him enough to buy this on the spur of the moment. It's 324 pages, but of relatively large print (only 29 lines per page), so it's a quick read.
It's kind of a biography, but Kermode says in the opening pages that `if I say something happened, it may well be that it only happened in the rancid, popcorn-filled cinema in my head.' This gives him license to tell stories like the one where he turns up a big fan at a rock concert and blows the drummer and his kit off the stage, presenting it first as fact, then spending several pages wondering whether it happened, then concluding that it probably didn't. Obviously, this story never happened, so what's the point pretending it did? I don't know. Has he no interesting real stories to tell? It doesn't seem so, as he gives inordinate space to banal stories like his trip across Russia by train and car. Ok, so he got a puncture. That's not that unusual.
The oddest thing is the way he constantly presents himself as a buffoonish incompetent. On screen, I've always seen him as a serious and knowledgeable character but here he keeps saying stuff like `I was a mouthy, know-nothing upstart. Over the years, very little has changed.' And in all the stories he tells he appears as a bumbling idiot, like when Helen Mirren reprimands him and his knees `start to buckle and bend beneath me. By the time I was finished I was down on bended knee, head bowed in suppliant reverence'. This isn't consistent with Kermode's character, so why doesn't he tell us how it really went? I guess this description is for comic effect, but the insincere self-deprecation becomes annoying. There's also nothing of substance on films, Kermode's one area of supposed expertise. It's just pointless, badly-told stories. It's readable enough, but it becomes increasingly unsatisfying and reads like it was knocked off quickly and without much thought. Just scrapes a 3.

Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body!

A Book to Live Your Life By, 2009-11-21
A quality book from the well respected Jillian Michaels. Detailed medical research facts throughout the book but relayed in Jillian's no nonsense approach.

I've read countless books on this subject and found Jillian's style incredibly easy to follow. The book is basically telling you to cut out processed, chemical laden foods and drinks. Also expelling the myths behind diet sodas and so called healthy foods.

If you are looking to lead a healthy life, then this book is a definite must.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement Without Giving In

The definitive work on negotiation - a "must read", 2009-01-23
"Getting to Yes" is the benchmark by which all other books on negotiating should be judged. Authors Fisher, Patton and Ury have penned a book that has become a classic in its class as their negotiating principles have been used and quoted again and again the world over.

"Getting to Yes" is quite deceptive at first - it seems a little light weight as it is so easy to read. In fact one could read it from cover to cover in half a day quite easily. Yet, the four principles outlined in their negotiating method whilst simple in nature are comprehensive and effective. This is one of the first books on negotiating to break away from the "hard v's soft" negotiating paradigm by introducing "principled" negotiating - ie. negotiating on the basis of both party's needs, not positions. Fisher et al, also cover very well the "What if" situations where the other party maybe more powerful, uses dirty tricks or won't play the game.

This book should be essential reading for everyone who has to negotiate with someone else over reaching a decision - and isn't that all of us?

Bob Selden,
Author, What To Do When You Become The Boss: How New Managers Become Successful Managers

Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard

surprisingly useful model for change, 2010-03-09
I didn't think this would be as good as it was,nothing entirely new but some interesting ideas put together well. Slightly more inclined to the management market but equally applicable to personal change.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Highly Recommended, 2009-08-27
This is a very useful book, and recommended reading for any senior exec, business owner. After 30 years in business I am pretty sure that Jim Collins et al's findings are spot on. How often have you seen a business where the ego of the owner that was once so valuable in the start up phase becomes a problem to the development of a business, where the wrong people are in the wrong Jobs. Having come into a business and been allowed to make changes by getting rid of the wrong people and replacing with the right I can only only say that the difference in the business is incredible. People come to me with solutions, not problems, I have to send them home or they would stay till 10pm the trick is now not to demotivate. Simple idea in the main but well worth taking note of and interesting analysis of the personality of the good to great leader, not what you would expect at all. Recommended

Making the Cut: The 30-day Diet and Fitness Plan for the Strongest, Sexiest You

Making the Cut - The best in ages, 2009-04-05
A very intense workout is offered however you are able to go at your own pace and work up to what is required.

A no nonsense approach, exciting, brilliant. Not for the faint hearted though.The fitness test allows the reader to gauge their fitness before starting the workout. If you're below a certain fitness level you are advised to work up to a set standard first. Improvement in fitness levels are quick to see.

The Longer Long Tail: How Endless Choice is Creating Unlimited Demand

Fascinating and entertaining, 2009-11-06
This book is a mixture of economics, psychology, history, technology and marketing and they are all used brilliantly to clearly explain and extend the idea. Some of these sorts of books can focus too much on explaining everything in great detail and you're actually left with a 3 page article that's extended into 200 pages of babble. There's so many good examples and interesting quotes in this book I ended up bookmarking about a dozen pages. A fascinating concept beautifully told, read it as soon as possible before the examples go out of date.

Richard Scarry's a Day at the Airport (Random House Picturebacks)

Excellent Reading for Little Minds, 2008-10-30
If you would like an entertaining read with your little one/s, then any Richard Scarry book is for you.
They are all funny stories with so much to look at and talk about and will ensure that the book will be read time and time again.
My Godparents bought me 2 Richard Scarry books when I was 4 and I have just passed them on to my Nephew (aged 4) and he is already hooked!